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Review: Black Swan

Normally I am not compelled to write a review, but maybe that is already a testament to this movie that I wish to comment.

I’ll start with something that one may immediately critique: the innocence of Natalie Portman’s ballerina character at the beginning will throw you off, but you will accept it soon enough, or even miss it as the roller coaster moves forward.

The cinematography is varied, nearly every shot is made special. Wrought with symbolism, subtle effects that almost seem to be inventions of the mind and both careful camera movements (for dancing) and rough changes (for real life) that keep what you are seeing lively and interesting.

The pinnacle of the performance is Portman, who plays every angle of anger, pleasure, innocence, forced cooperation and lost sensations with true merit and fervor. I can only say little of the extent of her performance that actually honors its range and depth.

Will you like this movie? I don’t know. You will either adore it or despise it. Each moment will drag you through intense moments of hilarity, madness, fear, sensuality and passion as this movie, preposterous as it may be, captures you for every moment. The mixing of unnerving sounds with the murmurs and crescendos of the music of Swan Lake itself highlight the scenes well, and regardless of your suspension of disbelief you will feel involved in all of Portman’s confusion and fear in her interactions with an excellent supporting cast. In a movie where you are not sure what is real you are only sure of what you see when Portman rehearses with the company, and that you are having some true visceral reaction to everything else.

No matter your opinion, the common person would agree that it was worth seeing, either to love or laugh at. And I feel anything worth your time is truly commendable entertainment.